Flexity Outlook (Toronto)
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Flexity Outlook. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2011. |
| Flexity Outlook | |
|---|---|
 TTC LRV Prototype 4400 | |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
| Built at | Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada |
| Replaced | Canadian Light Rail Vehicle, Articulated Light Rail Vehicle |
| Constructed | 2009 – present |
| Entered service | expected 2014[1] |
| Number under construction | 204 ordered[1] |
| Number built | 1 Prototype Vehicle |
| Number in service | First set delivered on September 26, 2012 |
| Capacity | 85 (seats) |
| Operators | Toronto Transit Commission |
| Lines served | Toronto streetcar system |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 30.20 m |
| Car length | 28,000 mm (91 ft 10 in)[2] |
| Width | 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)[1] |
| Height | 3.84 m |
| Doors | 4 (right side only)[1] |
| Articulated sections | 5[1] |
| Maximum speed | 70km/h |
| Weight | 48,200 kg |
| Power supply | 600 V DC[1] |
| Electric system(s) | Overhead trolley wire[1] |
| Current collector(s) | Trolley pole[1] |
| Track gauge | 1495 TTC gauge[1] |
The Toronto Flexity Outlook is the future model of light rail vehicles for the Toronto Transit Commission. These vehicles are set to replace its older vehicles on its streetcar system. A separate set of vehicles is also planned to operate on the future Eglinton–Scarborough Crosstown line and on other planned light rail lines. The new vehicles are built by Bombardier Transportation in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.[3][4]
History
The TTC's streetcar fleet is nearing the end of its service life, and as a result the Commission began looking for a manufacturer to build the new streetcars. In mid-2009, the Bombardier Flexity Outlook was announced as the new fleet for the TTC's next generation streetcars, which will replace the current streetcar vehicles, the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle and the Articulated Light Rail Vehicle, on its streetcar network.[5] On 26 June 2009 the Toronto City Council approved funding for 204 new vehicles and signed the contract with Bombardier.[6] A mock up of the new streetcar was put on display at the Bathurst Hillcrest Complex for tours between November 12-15, 2011, and it is anticipated that the new streetcars will enter revenue service starting in early 2014.[4][7]
On 14 June 2010, an option for an additional 182 vehicles was exercised to provide vehicles for since cancelled Transit City; there is an option for up to 118 more.[8] These vehicles included a number of differences from the streetcar replacements:
- They are double-ended, as Transit City lines would not have had turnaround loops at the ends of the lines;
- They are 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), standard gauge, as opposed to the unique 58.875 gauge used for TTC streetcar and subway lines;[9]
- They do not need to be able to navigate the sharp curves found on some TTC streetcar lines.
Specifications
In 2010, Bombardier released the specifications of the Toronto LRVs. The vehicle will be based on the Flexity Outlook Cityrunner product, but will be tailored to Toronto's unique needs. The vehicles will use TTC's unique gauge (1,495 mm or 4 ft 10 7⁄8 in) rather than standard gauge, traditional trolley poles using 600V DC for power collection, and as the existing streetcar system runs predominantly in mixed traffic and not on dedicated rights of way. Other design requirements such as the ability to handle tight turning radi, climb steep hills, clearance, and ability to upgrade into a more modern pantograph current collection system will be also be factored in to the TTC's unique design. The Outlook is almost twice as long as the current streetcar fleet and has five articulated sections.[1]
These next-generation streetcars will replace the aging fleet of CLRV and ALRV streetcars which have been in revenue service since the 1970s and 1980s, and will provide ridership growth and congestion relief efforts.
The new vehicles are just over 30 metres long than the current streetcars. They have four doors, 64 fixed seats and six flip-down seats. They are low-floor, wheelchair accessible, and have many user friendly features, including the Presto card fare system, large windows, airy interior design, air-conditioning systems and interior bike racks.
Delivery
The first vehicle of the TTC's new streetcar fleet arrived in Toronto on September 25, 2012. The test vehicle was delivered by rail from the Thunder Bay plant to Canadian Pacific’s Lambton Yard near Keele and St. Clair West. [10]
Days later, it was loaded on a truck/trailer flatbed and shipped to Hillcrest and rolled into Harvey Shop at the Hillcrest Complex.
Car 4400 is the first of three test vehicles that will be delivered for extensive testing and technology verification.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j http://stevemunro.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/LRV-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- ^ http://www3.ttc.ca/PDF/Transit_Planning/Service_Summary_2009_10_18.pdf
- ^ Ontario Funds New Streetcars In Toronto
- ^ a b thestar.com (April 24, 2009). "TTC picks Bombardier to supply streetcars". Toronto Star. Toronto.
- ^ Toronto Transit Commission (April 24, 2009). "TTC Staff recommend Bombardier for new streetcar order".
- ^ Toronto Transit Commission (June 26, 2009). "City Council approves funds for TTC purchase of new streetcars".
- ^ TTC to unveil streetcar of the future this weekend www.cp24.com, November 9, 2011,
- ^ Toronto buying 182 more Bombardier streetcars
- ^ Kalinowski, Tess (2010-01-06). "Transit City measures up to international standard". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
- ^ Kalinowski, Tess (26 September 2012). "TTC's new streetcar spotted in the Junction". Toronto Star. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
External links
- Toronto: Meet Your New Ride (official TTC website)